From Ishikawacho........to Yokohama.........to Yurakucho.......it's here we step off the train to take a relaxed stroll around the Oedo Antique Market before finding our way to the streets of Ginza.
The Oedo Antique Market is held on the first and third Sundays of every month. On my last visit I went home the proud owner of a little old stool, which resembled a builder's work horse but was very quaintly made and apparently seventy years old. Who knows...could be only two years old...it's still quaint!
This time I decided to look for an antique Japanese doll. I wandered around the very busy and expansive market which is held outside the Tokyo International Forum. It is difficult to know whether you are indeed purchasing an antique or not but in my view it doesn't really matter....if you like it then buy it! After having a good look around I had a bit of an idea of what I would like. I had spotted a pair of dolls quite early on but decided to continue my reconnoiter. Finally, I was still drawn to the pair I had seen initially. In the usual broken, 'part English part Japanese' dialogue I found that the dolls were 80 years old and, fortunately, were also affordable. Many things at the market are very expensive.....sometimes I must admit to wondering why?? After handing over my six thousand yen I walked away with my dolls in their little wooden box. They definitely look old and the Japanese lady was almost offended when I questioned her again about their age. My dolls are now comfortably ensconced on our sideboard in the dining room.
As you wander around the market you may decide you would like a kimono...or maybe some china..... fabric...a trinket or nick knack.....jewellery...a print....really the choices are many!!!
Paula came home with a print, an obi and a doll. Steve found an old cigarette lighter, a relic from the Vietnam War, with an interesting inscription on it.
After we left the market we moved on to Ginza with its brand name shops lining each side of the main street, Chuo-dori. Each Sunday this street is closed to traffic and becomes Pedestrian's Paradise.
Here you can catch street music (nothing too loud) and performances, hawkers selling magical puppets which dance without strings, and thousands of other people to bump into. I am sure the Thompson Clan would be intrigued to see the mention of the magical puppets!! Magical my foot...says Paul!
The heart of Ginza is the intersection of Chuo-dori and Harumi-dori, dominated by the glass cylinder of the San-ai Building. I believe Ginza is adequately described by photographs alone.....
Steve found himself a new toy...he wishes!! The silent guitar in the Yamaha shop was really quite fantastic.
Maybe you would care for some tasty delights.....
It will be exciting to return at Christmas when the streets are lined with over 200 trees illuminated by over 100,000 lights. It should be a magnificent sight and will be well worth a visit one night, when normally just the street lighting is spectacular!
